The Judith Basin County Museum in Stanford is open in the summer. The Prairie Past Museum is right off US Highway 87 and specializes in the agricultural heritage. / TRIBUNE PHOTO/KRISTEN INBODY

'Montana Travel Counselor,' made by West Yellowstone Information Center, was part of Stanford's Scarecrow in the Garden Festival, this year on Oct. 5. / TRIBUNE PHOTO/RION SANDERS

More

ADVERTISEMENT

STANFORD — Civic pride shines in the seat of Judith Basin County.

Central Avenue, the subject of a beautification campaign, is lined with shops, bars, restaurants and a few historic homes. The stately Judith Basin County Courthouse bookends the street with the railroad.

Tess Brady leads the volunteers who have created a floral wonderland along the street, with bountiful planters the whole length. Even a rusty old car became floral art in their hands. The lot that hosts the periodic farmers market is another showpiece, and a new small park with a memorial gazebo in the works along Central Avenue will no doubt benefit from their efforts, too.

A town that began with sheep, Stanford became a stage stop and drew cowboys such as C.M. Russell, who painted many pieces in the area. The town of about 760 still draws cowboys, along with many others.

BOO: Not so scary but definitely in the spirit, October means scarecrows in Stanford. The Oct. 5 event includes a 1- and 3-mile fun run/walk to benefit breast cancer awareness, a craft show and a chili cook-off. Scarecrows, made by locals, are on display downtown thorough Halloween.

SHOP: The Basin Trading Post is home to a gift store, deli/cafe, hardware store, medical clinic, guitar shop, artist gallery and history display.

EAT: Rodeo Rhonda’s Restaurant on Central Avenue is a popular stop. The Coyote Cafe is part of the gas station and rest stop complex along the highway, with Wi-Fi and espresso.

LEARN: The Judith Basin County Museum is open in the summer, with historic pictures, history books, salt-and-pepper shakers, buttons, Indian artifacts and C.M. Russell art from the area. The Prairie Past Museum is right off US Highway 87 and specializes in the agricultural heritage.

DON’T MISS: “On Top of the World,” a bronze sculpture by J.C. Dye, is on display in front of the Judith Basin County Courthouse in Stanford.

(Page 2 of 2)

SNARL: The legendary Old Snowdrift, a white wolf, preyed on calves and eluded capture for 15 years. The 83-pound, six-foot-long wolf is now on display at the Basin Trading Post.

LAUGH: Andy’s Barber Shop recently put a retired highway sign for the town of Barber next to the storefront, with the old railroad depot from Moccasin visible behind. The prominent highways sign is an amusing touch.

WALK IN HIS BOOTS: Take the C.M. Russell Auto Tour to explore Russell art and Judith Basin History along US Highway 87. Find the 25-stop route at russellcountry.com/Russell_Auto_Tour.html, at the Judith District Ranger Office in Stanford or by calling 406-566-2292.

FISH: Ackley Lake State Park is 27 miles southeast of Stanford, popular for fishing and camping in summer and winter.

GAWK: The 9,408-acre Judith River Wildlife Management Area has elk, deer, antelope, birds and more, south of Stanford. It opens May 15 and closes Dec. 1.

BE BLUE: Go south of Stanford toward Dry Wolf for some of the best bluebird spotting, with April through August prime times. Learn more at russellcountry.com/Bird_Watching.html.